Ken Nelson

New York is a better place to live than in the 1970s. I, frankly, don’t credit NYPD with any of that improvement, which is largely economic/gentrification related.

NYPD continues to concern as a leading example of politicized policing that is more interested in NYPD and its political masters than the citizens of the city.

Reason magazine is covering the latest revelations of statistic juicing, including not reporting serious crimes, downgrading others, and even misreporting rapes as misdemeanors:

In other words, the statistical manipulation extends beyond property crimes. Journalist Debbie Nathan, who was sexually assaulted in a city park last February, says that she was shocked to learn that the officers who wrote up her report classified the crime as a misdemeanor. It was later upgraded to a felony, but only after Nathan went to the district attorney. And according to the DA’s investigation, the six officers who responded to Nathan’s attack admitted leaving key portions of her story out of the report. As Nathan told the Village Voice, rape crisis centers throughout New York City have documented similar complaints from victims of sexual assault.

I don’t envy NYPD’s brass the task of managing 30,000+ police officers.  But… the Army manages twenty times more through training, delegation and core beliefs.  Instead of hiring from within NYPD or even other police forces, they might want to consider a retiring Army general as their next police chief.   He or she can show them how to manage with integrity and a focus on mission and NYPD values.

Update: NYPD actually put one of their whistleblower cops in the pscyh ward to punish him. 

NYPD has a culture problem. A big problem. It starts at the top (Mayor) and permeates its command culture.  Unfortunately, I think their attitude is common in large and small police forces.